ST. Joseph’s College, Devagiri, Kozhikode moved into the semi-finals after a 3-0 win over MD College, Pazhanji, Thrissur in the second quarterfinal match on Tuesday.
St. Joseph’s needed an own goal to beat Christ College, Irinjalakuda in the previous round. However, against MES College, they needed no such favours. Led by Kerala Blasters winger Prasanth K, St Joseph’s were in top gear from the first whistle. They went up 1-0 when MD College conceded a penalty in the 5th minute. Blasters man Prasanth made the MD College goalkeeper Ajfal dived to the left before sliding it into the other corner.
MD College looked jaded and they were struggling against St Joseph’s who struck again in the 7th minute. Their talisman Prasanth had a hand in the second goal as well. The winger raced down the left channel and drew a save from Ajfal. Shahil TK made no mistake with the rebound.
There was no pressure put on the St. Joseph’s players by MD College and retreating into their own half. St Joseph’s piled on more misery with another goal in the 17th minute. The MD College defence allowed Shahil to work his way into the box. There was a scramble inside the box to close him down. But the forward managed to poke the ball into the net.
St Joseph’s went into half-time with a massive 3-0 lead. The second half was more of a cagey affair. The MD College players closed down the spaces for St Joseph’s players and restrained them.
But they had few chances going forward. Substitute Aslam K had three great chances. He tried a shot from distance which was latched onto by St Joseph’s goalkeeper Vishnu Prakash.
The keeper had a more difficult save to make when Aslam was one on one with the goalkeeper who managed to kick it away. Aslam had an opportunity towards the dying minutes when he blazed over the bar from 20 yards out.
Results: St. Joseph’s College Devagiri Kozhikode 3 (Prasanth 5’, Shahil TK 7’, 17’) bt MD College Pazhanji Thrissur 0
